Related

VANCOUVER - As the fourth-string quarterback of the B.C. Lions, Chris Hart virtually is hidden from public view.

While the rocket-armed freshman from Florida may never play a down this season in a CFL game, that hasn’t stopped him from contributing to the team’s on-field performance.

Hart has been working with the Lions’ defensive line in its attempt to improve pressure on the opposing quarterback -- and the process seems to be bearing fruit. Squashed fruit.

“Hart’s been helping us stay in our lanes and better attack the quarterback,” defensive end Khreem Smith explained following Saturday’s 31-21 win over the Edmonton Eskimos. “We starting doing it last week and it’s made a difference. We’re trying to get the monkey off our back.”

After recording just a single sack in their first two games of the 2013 season, the Lions’ defence has six in its past three games, both against the Eskimos. Smith lowered the boom on Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly twice Saturday night and added three tackles. His looping rush late in the fourth quarter also pressured Reilly into throwing an interception into the arms of defensive tackle Jabar Westerman. It led to the Lions’ fourth touchdown, on a three-yard run by Andrew Harris.

“I just showed the D-line a couple of key points that quarterbacks do not like, especially scrambling quarterbacks (like Reilly),” Hart said. “If they approach him from this angle, he’s going to roll this way. I did it with the D-tackles, too. I did it with the whole D-line. I told them, ‘Play it slow to your attack point and see which way he goes.’ As a scrambling quarterback myself, I know what I don’t like.”

At an age when most football players are being put out to pasture, Smith’s greatest fear is that he’ll be judged by criteria other than his play, which would be a disservice. Coaches used to kick players like him to the curb. But this is a new era, and players are more obsessive about eating and training and extending careers into their football dotage.

At 34, Smith’s life is football, and he’s not about to relinquish his place to someone from the younger generation. That was apparent on Saturday night.

“Khreem’s a great player, a great passer rusher,” said the 24-year-old Westerman. “He’s probably the best all-around D-lineman we have. He makes his plays quietly, and goes about his business. He’s very humble.”

With Smith and Keron Williams converging on the Edmonton quarterback, Westerman was the beneficiary of his first interception in the pros. His last one came at Dodge City Junior College in 2009 before he transferred to Eastern Michigan.

“I took an angle to try and head him (Reilly) off, and then Smitty and Keron hit him,” Westerman explained. “It went up in the air right to me.”

Nowhere to hide. That’s the uncomfortable feeling no quarterback wants. Hart said he’ll work with the Lions’ D-line to achieve that state of unease as long as it’s needed.

“I told Coach Mike (Benevides) I’m willing to help any way I can to finish off the quarterback,” Hart said. “It seems to be working, and it’s going to get even better.”

END ZONE -- The Lions have lost rookie safety/special teams player Matt McGarva for the season after he suffered a torn ACL in the fourth quarter against the Eskimos. McGarva was the team’s fourth-round pick in the 2013 CFL draft. Sixth round pick Matt Walker, another defensive back, didn’t make it through training camp because of knee issues . . . Wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux turned an ankle after making five catches for 106 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown. But Benevides indicated that the injury is not serious and Arceneaux is expected to play July 30 in Toronto against the Argonauts.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.